Dirt will cover the floor of the Huntington Center on Friday and Saturday, when MXR Promotions’ Arenacross competition takes place. The five-lap races on the four-lane track will feature everyone from 5-year-old pee-wees to pros hopping on motorcycles in pursuit of victory.
“It’s going to be pretty busy,” said race owner and promoter Adam Martin of Muskegon, Mich. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we have 200 riders there. We’ll have races the whole time. There’s a lot of racing, a lot of action, and fans get their money’s worth.”
There are challenging turns and hills built for riders to make high-flying jumps. The constant roar of motorcycle engines is accompanied by the thumping sounds of tires coming down hard on dirt. Riders, absorbing plenty of body jolts after landing jumps despite bike suspensions taking the brunt of the contact, angle their bikes to turn while using their feet protected by hefty boots for stabilization to navigate the sudden turns.
Focus and endurance are as required as daring and skill to get the checkered flag as the winner.
The races have a $6,500 purse for pro racers riding the 250 and 450 motorcycles with four-stroke engines, and there’s $2,500 for the 110 and modified pit bike competitors. For example, a 250 is powered with an engine displacement of 250 cubic centimeters (cc). There are 65cc and 85cc bikes for youngsters just starting out.
What: Arenacross presented by MXR Promotions
Where: Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo
When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday
How much: $25 to $35 adults, $10 for up to three children accompanied by one adult
Information: huntingtoncentertoledo.com
One of the top pros competing is Mitchell Frantz of China, Mich.
“How courses are set up depends on the size of the arena,” said Mr. Frantz, noting that he will compete in the 450 pro races while also driving his CRF 125 in pit races. “But there’s usually a couple pretty big jumps and a nice rhythm section that changes up your rhythm, and it can separate someone who’s daring to do a triple-triple or someone who is a little more scared only doing a double-double-double.
“That helps the more experienced or gutsier drivers.”
Mr. Martin explained how he sets up a course that caters to all classes and levels or drivers:
“Other promoters usually build tracks for slow riders and the little bikes or for the pro guys. I can build a track that’s as safe as it can be for motocross for the little guys — you roll every jump. But it’s fun, too, for the fast guys.
“I build a rhythm section where the kids can do a table top, and there’s a table top, small ones, after it. The faster guys can [clear] both table tops in one jump. It will be challenging for them, and still fast and rideable for everybody.”
It’s the same as motocross, Mr. Martin noted: “But we call it Arenacross because it’s inside an arena. It’s just tighter and has more jumps than an outdoor track. And supercross is in a bigger stadium.”
He added that arena spectators are “closer to the action” than those in stadiums, and said there are minimal breaks in the action to keep viewers more locked in during the shows lasting about two and a half hours.
Mr. Martin expects about 1,500 spectators each night. Each class has beginner, intermediate, and “A” Class groups.
Dangerous injuries can occur.
“I’ve been very fortunate with my racing,” said Mr. Frantz, 25, who has suffered a collapsed lung. “I’ve only been in a couple bad accidents. Knock on wood, I’ve only broken two or three bones, which is very unlikely for the kind of racing and how long I’ve been racing.”
“The risks,” Mr. Frantz continued, “are a wide variety of things. It could be a torn ACL that will put you out for good or even death. People I’ve known, I’ve witnessed get taken out. They pass away, and it’s very unfortunate. But that’s the risk we take when we race.
“I had a race last year when my bike cut out in mid-air and it put me right over the handlebars, and God had ahold in that one. I should’ve landed face-first, but the front [bike] forks, the way I landed — I don’t know how I didn’t just go straight over the handlebars — but it soaked everything up and I softly went down. I was seeing stars but jumped on the bike, and still ended up winning the race.”
He added that there is “an art to crashing,” and technique is critical. His wife “bought me a $1,200 helmet” and his strong boots with memory foam cost $700. He added that having the best protection “pays” off.
He added that “the amazing feeling of riding,” which is like “no other feeling,” is what attracts him and others to it despite the risks.
Mr. Frantz began riding a dirt bike at 5, but didn’t begin motocross racing until 2019. He was hooked after qualifying regionally to compete in the Loretta Lynn’s Amateur Nationals, created in 1982 by the late country music legend and her late husband, Mooney Lynn, on their 600,000 acres in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. It’s referred to as the sport’s “Holy Grail” by MotoSport.com, and Mr. Frantz said racing there three times with the top 42 riders in the world has been his top accomplishment.
He got his “pro card” at the most recent Loretta Lynn’s, enabling him to compete in events such as Arenacross.
“The support of fans at our races is great,” Mr. Frantz said. “That’s what motivates you to really keep going. I try to go out of my way for young racers and try to build their confidence — because they give me confidence because I know they’re watching me, and that there are a bunch of people watching.
“I’m going to do my best for them.”
First Published January 19, 2023, 2:00 p.m.
